Why would they do this???

[WrightsCornerCamper]

So, after a great Labor Day weekend spent in the brand new X19H, I'm getting everything ready to store away for three weeks until our next trip. I've got all of the water drained from the water heater and start to open the low point drains. But, there doesn't seem to be any. I look in every cabinet and in every nook and cranny I can think of. Nothing.

I climb underneath where the low point drains are labeled. I see the drain and the overflow for the fresh water tank. And I spy the two low point drains sticking out the bottom, too. BINGO!

I go inside to locate them and this is what I see...



I had to remove the top of the factory sealed section to access the water pump (with the winterizing hoses and valves) and the low point drains.



Why would Jayco hide these when you need to access these fairly often? [emoji53]

[BigJohnD]

Mainly, because the people that build them, don't use them. To me, it should be mandatory that all builders use their own products, then they understand the complaints a little better.

[BigJohnD]

Might just turn that into a hinged access panel and but a thumb hole in it.

[Skaling]

I don't think it's that big of a deal.. Very easy mod to make it easier for you to access. I think they do that so people don't try to store things in that area and damage the pump and heat ducting..
If I was you, my complaint would be to the dealer who sold you the unit and didn't do a proper walk through with you and show you where to find the low point drains and water pump..

[Tunce the traveler]

Originally Posted by Skaling

I don't think it's that big of a deal.. Very easy mod to make it easier for you to access. I think they do that so people don't try to store things in that area and damage the pump and heat ducting..
If I was you, my complaint would be to the dealer who sold you the unit and didn't do a proper walk through with you and show you where to find the low point drains and water pump..

X2

[norty1]

I agree that they were placed for several reasons, one being to discourage packing it full of stuff and causing a possible problem. I look at it as a one time thing once you know where they are. Someone should have shown you.

Access could be made more convenient but you don't need to get in there but a few times a season.

The ones on my rig are behind removable panels also but I scoured the rig and located all of them when I first got it.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by Skaling

I don't think it's that big of a deal.. Very easy mod to make it easier for you to access. I think they do that so people don't try to store things in that area and damage the pump and heat ducting..
If I was you, my complaint would be to the dealer who sold you the unit and didn't do a proper walk through with you and show you where to find the low point drains and water pump..

Yeah, it is that big of a deal. That is simply poor design and if the moron who designed it that way had his head out in the sunlight, he could have easily designed it to be more user friendly with little or no additional cost to Jayco.

[Tunce the traveler]

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Yeah, it is that big of a deal. That is simply poor design and if the moron who designed it that way had his head out in the sunlight, he could have easily designed it to be more user friendly with little or no additional cost to Jayco.

It's a X19h so where would you install it and how would you run the lines?

[WrightsCornerCamper]

I know it's an easy mod. I'd already decided to replace the 3/8" thick plywood that they used on the top with 1/2". One misplaced knee while trying to access the window could spell disaster. And I've got 8 and 10 year olds that love to bounce and jump. So, out goes the 3/8" stuff.

And I also agree that there shouldn't be any stuff stored in there that could damage the plumbing and duct work. Maybe label it that way and leave it open (like the water heater under the opposite bench)? If it were just the winterizing access, I could understand. But the low point drains are accessed after every trip, right? Maybe it's just me...

I think I'll be redesigning the compartment anyway. There's a lot of reclaimable, potential storage space there.

And Mike, the PDI Tech did a wonderful job with the walk through. I'd probably blame myself more than him for the oversight. I kept him pretty busy with all of the joking and bull I was giving him. This isn't our first camper.

However, if I hadn't been a seasoned "semi-amateur", I wouldn't have known to look for them. I just feel like Jayco dropped the ball. Just sayin'...

[jasoncw]

I've only owned 2 trailers (a Keystone and Forest River), but both had the water pump behind a removable panel (held in place with screws). The low point drains were under the trailer, though. No big deal to me, seeing as I only winterize once a year.

[bucko]

Winterizing? What's that?!?


I love living in Florida.

[jasoncw]

Originally Posted by bucko

Winterizing? What's that?!?


I love living in Florida.

Ha! Yes, must be nice. But I'll take the MI summers over FL summers.

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by WrightsCornerCamper

...snip...
Why would Jayco hide these when you need to access these fairly often? [emoji53]

No clue why they do it, other than to present a "clean" appearance.

The winterizing valves for the water heater are behind an access panel held on by 2 #6 wood screws in the under-bed storage area.

The panel hasn't be put back since I adjusted the bypass valve to give us 120* water instead of 150* water. Try and explain why Atwood went to a fixed thermostat that wastes energy...

[LabMan]

Depending on use, most people only use the low point drains at the end of the season to winterize.

[Jagiven]

I understand your pain. I think most of it is to keep people from filling in the area and over loading the trailer. Our low point drains were under our bathroom sink. They gave me an access hole to reach my hand in, but my hands are too big to use easily pull the Tee handles, So I removed the panel.

Our water heater was the same setup as your pump cabinet, during our PDI, the tech removed the screw to show us the bypass valves, and asked if we wanted the screw installed, clearly I said NO! When I got home I drilled a nice hole in the panel so now I have a finger hold just like the others, for easy access.

[bedrck46]

I like where mine is located Behind a door and even has space to store small items

[VicS1950]

Not that anyone asked.

As to being hidden...

Is it described in the owners manual? When all else fails, read the manual.

As to removing a few screws...

I'd much prefer that and the access that it provides you as compared to my 23b pump being tucked under the refrigerator with a door. Down on my hands and knees isn't so convenient.

FWIW.

vic

[bedrck46]

Originally Posted by VicS1950

Is it described in the owners manual? When all else fails, read the manual.

Down on my hands and knees isn't so convenient.

FWIW.

vic

When your down on your knees do you read the manual or pray that you can fix it? LOL


Sorry no offense meant Just couldn't resist a comment

[VicS1950]

Originally Posted by bedrck46

When your down on your knees do you read the manual or pray that you can fix it? LOL


Sorry no offense meant Just couldn't resist a comment

No offense taken.

Rotating the trailer each time to face east is a bit of a hassle too.

vic

[Dagwood]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

Might just turn that into a hinged access panel and but a thumb hole in it.

Good Idea. I hadn't thought of it but will certainly add it to my list of mods.